By Karl Streckewald, Gifford Pinchot Group Executive Committee Member
Whether you enjoy hiking (leisurely or more challenging), an opportunity for viewing unique flora and fauna, fishing and boating, or spending some time indoors learning about nature and giving the children appropriate activities, Wildwood Park and Olewine Nature Center have something for everyone. As part of the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department and encompassing 229 acres on the northern edge of Harrisburg, the park is an oasis in the middle of busy highways and an industrial complex.
Wildwood Park has over 5 miles of trails in various forms: paved, mulched, bare dirt, and boardwalks. Much of the trail system is handicap accessible and can also be used for jogging or bike riding. Dogs are allowed, as long as they are on a leash and any waste is cleaned up. Parts of the trail system are also a section of the Harrisburg Greenbelt so you may encounter ‘through hikers’ who are continuing on to other sections of the city.
Generally, the trails consist of a large loop around the 80 acre lake/marsh. One side of this loop is mulched, so it’s still easy walking, but not quite as friendly to wheelchairs as the paved sections. The other side of the lake gives you both a paved option and a more rugged unpaved path. The boardwalks are loops off of the main walk and are accessed near the nature center and parking. The more rugged trails split off from the main trails. Trails are well marked and the full layout can be found on the website and on maps throughout the park or in the Nature Center.
With both woodlands and wetlands in the park, there is a wide variety of species of birds and animals. Along with herons, egrets, woodpeckers, raptors, and many other types of birds, you may spot deer, beavers, foxes, and an array of various snakes, turtles, and other reptiles. There are spectacular pictures of much of this wildlife posted on the website.
In addition to the wonderful trails, the park includes the Olewine Nature Center. There are displays appropriate for children and adults along with an activity room for children, which includes drawing and crafts. Make sure you spend some time in the viewing area overlooking bird feeders where you can see the various birds up close with identifying charts to help you determine which birds you are seeing.
Wildwood Park has regular events for the public that range from observing Earth Day in the spring, regular summer camps for children in the summer, and Celebrating Wildwood in the fall. Also check the Art in the Wild exhibit where artists display their works of mostly natural materials at various locations along the trails from April to September.
It should be noted that even in the park surrounded by trees and wildlife, you will sometimes still hear traffic and other outside noises over the bird calls. To some extent, that is a reminder of just how special this park is, in that there is so much beauty in an industrial area in Harrisburg’s backyard that is so easily accessible by all of Central Pennsylvania.
Wildwood Park is located off of Industrial Road just north of the main campus of Harrisburg Area Community College. Trails are open from dawn until dusk year round and the Olewine Nature Center is open on non-holidays Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. You can pick up a map in the Nature Center when it is open. The staff members are happy to answer any questions and recommend trails that may be most appropriate for your situation. View their website for much more information and to check for any changes in the schedule before you visit.
This blog was included as part of the September 2023 Sylvanian newsletter. Please click here to check out more articles from this edition!